Lacking a finishing touch

The Bucks have accomplished some serious steps forward this season, despite the devastating injury losses of stars Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut.

But much of the positive vibe surrounding the team is vanishing due to the lack of a finishing kick. Instead the Bucks are fading, losing eight of their last nine games17 of their last 21, to fall out of the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

The Bucks officially would be eliminated Sunday night with a Detroit Pistons victory (against Charlotte) or a New Jersey Nets loss (to Philadelphia).

Coach Scott Skiles clearly had seen enough after the team's lackluster effort in a 107-102 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

"We didn't come ready to play; it's that simple," Skiles said. "We were lethargic. Our defense was poor. We're trying to search for lineups anywhere we can find energy. They (the Grizzlies) had the most energy and they deserved to win."

Point guard Ramon Sessions said the Bucks don't want to go into the summer with this sour feeling.

"We came out kind of slow, and me being the point guard, that falls on me," Sessions said. "Me and Richard (Jefferson) were back there talking after we got out of the shower, and we were saying, 'We don't want to end the season this way.'

"We know the playoffs are far away, but let's go out here on a winning streak or something. These losses really hurt. But we're professionals and we're going to get it together."

The Bucks (32-46) have just six more victories than they achieved last season. At one point it appeared Milwaukee would beat last year's record by at least 10 victories, but simply to go 36-46 the Bucks must win their final four games. They have three of the last four at home, playing next on Wednesday against Atlanta at the Bradley Center.

"We want to try to go into the summer feeling good about ourselves," Sessions said.

Sessions did record his third straight double-double with 12 points and 11 assists. Also included in the streak was his first triple-double as a pro, accomplished against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.